On View: May 22–October 4, 2015
Location: Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Shayne Dark: Natural Conditions situates the artist’s monumental sculptures in and around the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens’ Lord & Burnham–designed conservatory, which is nestled within a landscape originally crafted by Frederick Law Olmsted. Dark’s striking use of bold color is meant to complement and enhance the organic surroundings, bringing art and nature together in a magnificent and harmonious display.
Just as a flowering blossom grabs our attention, Dark’s work in and around the Botanical Gardens acts as a visual component that draws awareness towards points of beauty and creation. And, like a blooming flower, Dark’s work integrates into a larger ecosystem of intricate design, operating to enhance the inherent beauty that surrounds us every day.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Public Art Initiative hosted a residency for the artist at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens September 14–19, 2015, during which Dark sourced local organic material at the end of its lifecycle to create a site-specific installation. The residency offered direct insight into the artist’s creative practice and allowed visitors to see the evolution of his work from raw materials to finished installation.